A NIGHT WITH THE BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY

Chapter two

Mira sat across from Sia in the small, cozy café they frequented. Sia looked at her intently, fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. Mira felt a knot tighten in her chest as she tried to explain everything that had happened.

“So, let me get this straight,” Sia said, her voice tinged with disbelief. “You’re… actually going to marry Miguel Ramos?”

Mira exhaled, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on her. “Yes. I mean… I don’t have much choice, do I? He’s going to give me the money after I deliver, and it’s only a contract marriage. After a year, I’m free to go my own way.”

“But Mira, this is Miguel Ramos we’re talking about. He’s… well, he’s dangerous. Selfish. Not the kind of man you want to be tied to, even for a year.”

Mira smiled sadly. “I know, Sia. But I’m thinking about the future. Ten million dollars is enough to set me up, and my baby too. I can finally start the fashion line I’ve dreamed of, and my child will have everything they need. I have to make this sacrifice.”

Sia leaned forward, taking Mira’s hands in hers. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay? I know you’re strong, but Miguel… he’s unpredictable.”

Mira squeezed Sia’s hands back, drawing strength from her friend’s concern. “I promise. And I’ll have you by my side, right?”

“Always,” Sia replied, her voice soft but firm.

As Mira walked home, her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced down and saw it was from Miguel.

Miguel: I’ve booked an appointment for you with Marsha. Go in for a makeover, get yourself polished up. You’re going to be my wife—let’s make sure you look the part.

Mira frowned. His words left a sour taste in her mouth, but she didn’t have the energy to argue. She had agreed to this deal, and if playing the role of the polished, perfect wife was part of it, then she’d go along for now. She took a deep breath and typed back a short response.

Okay.

The next day, she found herself in Marsha’s studio. Marsha was one of the top stylists in Snowfall, and her fingers moved expertly as she applied makeup, adjusted Mira’s hair, and chose the right outfit. Mira couldn’t shake off the discomfort; every swipe of the makeup brush felt like a reminder of how she was molding herself to fit into Miguel’s world.

“There you go, my dear,” Marsha said, finally stepping back to admire her work. “You look stunning.”

Mira looked at herself in the mirror. The woman staring back looked refined, elegant, and completely unfamiliar. She barely recognized herself, and the unease simmering inside grew stronger.

“Thank you,” Mira managed, forcing a smile.

Back at ACE Technologies, Miguel was seated in his office, leaning back in his chair as he sifted through documents. His door opened without a knock, and he looked up to see Alyssa standing in the doorway, her expression coy as she held a wrapped box in her hands.

“Good afternoon, Miguel,” she said, stepping in with a self-assured air.

Miguel gave her a cool look, sitting up straight. “Alyssa. To what do I owe this visit?”

Alyssa’s smile widened as she placed the box on his desk. “Just a little gift. I thought you might appreciate it.”

Miguel arched an eyebrow, already suspicious of her motives. “Is that so?”

He unwrapped the box slowly, his curiosity piqued despite his better judgment. Inside was a photo, one that made his jaw tighten. It was a picture of him and Mira at the club from a few weeks ago—the night everything had changed.

Alyssa’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she gauged his reaction. “Isn’t it funny how the past sneaks up on us?”

But Miguel’s face remained impassive. He didn’t so much as flinch, his expression unreadable as he set the photo back down. He looked up at her, a glint of ice in his gaze.

“You’ve made your point, Alyssa,” he said coldly. He pressed a button on his intercom. “Security, please escort Ms. Alyssa out of the building.”

Alyssa’s eyes widened, her confidence cracking. “Miguel, wait! I didn’t mean—”

Miguel raised a hand to silence her, his voice steady and unwavering. “And effective immediately, ACE Technologies will be disassociating from your father’s company. I don’t have time for this kind of interference.”

Her voice wavered as she tried to protest, a hint of desperation creeping in. “Please, Miguel, this is a misunderstanding!”

Just then, Miguel’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw his father’s name flash across it. He lifted a finger, signaling for Alyssa to remain silent as he answered the call.

“Hello, Father.”

Damon’s voice was stern, a tone that Miguel was all too familiar with. “Miguel, what is this I’m hearing about another scandal? I thought I made myself clear. No more controversies.”

Miguel exhaled, deciding to face the situation head-on. “Father, it’s not what you think. In fact, I’m going to resolve this for good. Tomorrow, Mira and I will be getting engaged.”

Silence filled the line, and Miguel could almost feel his father’s surprise through the phone. Finally, Damon’s voice came through, softer but still firm.

“Engaged? You’ll bring her here, to the house. I want to meet this woman.”

“Understood,” Miguel replied, his tone sharp. “I’ll bring her over later today.”

He ended the call and looked back at Alyssa, his expression now one of complete disinterest. “I believe you know your way out, Alyssa. Don’t make this any more difficult.”

Alyssa looked at him, her face pale and eyes wide, before she finally turned and hurried out of his office without another word.

Miguel leaned back, watching the door close behind her. A smirk crept onto his face. He knew exactly what he was doing—keeping his father satisfied while making it clear that Mira’s role in his life was purely strategic. His father didn’t have to know the details, as long as he saw a respectable engagement and not another scandal.

With a flicker of satisfaction, he returned to his work, feeling more in control than he had in a long time.

---

That evening, Mira received another message from Miguel, telling her to be ready to visit his father. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She hadn’t expected this turn so quickly, but here she was, playing the part of his fiancée and about to meet the powerful Damon Ramos. Sia’s voice echoed in her mind, warning her to be careful, but Mira had already stepped into this role. She’d have to follow through.

Her phone buzzed again.

Miguel: I’ll pick you up at 8. Be ready.

Mira’s heart thudded as she read the message, the reality of her decision sinking in. This was more than just a contract marriage; it was a game of appearances, where she’d have to keep her guard up constantly. Despite her unease, she straightened her shoulders, reminding herself of her reason for agreeing to this. She would secure her future and her child’s, no matter how difficult the road became.

And as the clock ticked closer to eight, Mira found herself torn between apprehension and a strange excitement, wondering what awaited her at the Ramos mansion and how much more complicated things would get from here.